Police say a Newtown woman adopted the cat from Richards last June, after Richards agreed to have it neutered first. But police say Richards performed the operation herself instead of taking the kitten to a veterinarian.

The cat's new owner told police it looked ill when she took it home, and she noticed it had a hole in its lower abdomen. She says a veterinarian treated the problem for nearly $2,000.

Richards was released on a promise to appear in Bridgeport Superior Court next Tuesday.